Blister pack and backer for packaging a toothbrush and method for making the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a blister pack assembly for an article including a blister pack for receiving the article; and a backer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the backer being provided with printed material only on its top surface, so that when the backer is sealed to the blister pack, the seal will no, be affected by the presence of ink on the bottom surface. In order to provide a better appearance, the backer is preferably made of clear plastic. A first layer of ink is applied to the top surface, so that the ink, representing promotional material and other information, is visible through the clear plastic in the direction of the bottom surface of the backer. A second layer of ink is then applied over the first layer of ink, so that the first layer of ink is hidden from view when looking at the top surface of the backer. A third layer of ink, representing promotional material and other information is then applied to the second layer of ink, the third layer of ink being visible (and of course readable) only when looking at the top surface of the backer through the blister pack. Consequently, when the seal is made, no ink is present at the junction between the periphery of the bottom surface of the backer, permitting a clean seal between the backer and the blister pack. It should also be noted that since ink is not present on the bottom surface of the backer, the promotional material and other information visible on the bottom surface of the packer can cover the full area of the backer. The present invention also concerns a method for making a blister pack and backer for packaging an article.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a blister pack and backer for a toothbrush

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Toothbrushes, an important tool in the maintenance of oral hygiene, are packaged, generally, either in a sealed cardboard box, or in a blister pack. The blister pack includes a backing which sealed to the blister pack, usually by way of an RF seal. The blister pack is usually made of clear plastic, and the backer, having a top and bottom surfaces, is printed on each side with promotional and other information.

[0003] One of the problems associated with such a blister pack packaging is that tie bottom surface of the backer (which contacts the blister pack and is sealed), is printed. Because of variations in the tolerance of the printing, it is possible that ink will be present at the periphery of the bottom surface of the backer where the seat is made. The presence of ink in this region is such that the resulting seal is imperfect (which is a considerable disadvantage due to the nature of the use of a toothbrush) which means the container is opened, which is unhygienic, and may also result in ink smearing.

[0004] It should also be noted that manufacturers have attempted to obviate this problem by reducing the area on which the ink may be present by leaving a border approximately {fraction (1/16)}″ in width on the periphery of the bottom surface of the backer. However, this is not an acceptable solution, since the tolerance in the assembling of the backer and the blister pack is larger than the border, and may also result in smearing if the alignment is off.

[0005] These problems result in a lack of confidence by the users since a user will not purchase a badly sealed toothbrush package which results in a sloppy appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a blister pack assembly, including a backer, which does not contain ink on its bottom surface, thereby permitting a perfect seal.

[0007] In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved with a blister pack assembly for an article including:

[0008] a blister pack for receiving the article;

[0009] a backer having a top surface and a bottom surface, the backer being provided with printed material only on its top surface, so that when the backer is sealed to the blister pack, the seal will not be affected by the presence of ink on the bottom surface.

[0010] In order to provide a better appearance, the backer is made of clear plastic. A first layer of ink is applied to the top surface, so that the ink, representing promotional material and other information, is visible through the clear plastic in the direction of the bottom surface of the backer. A second layer of ink is then applied over the first layer of ink, so that the first layer of ink is hidden from view when looking at the top surface of the backer. A third layer of ink, representing promotional material and other information is then applied to the second layer of ink, the third layer of ink being visible (and of course readable) only when looking at the top surface of the backer through the blister pack.

[0011] Consequently, when the seal is made, no ink is present at the junction between the periphery of the bottom surface of the backer, permitting a clean seal between the backer and the blister pack. It should also be noted that since ink is not present on the bottom surface of the backer, the promotional material and other information visible on the bottom surface of the packer can cover the full area of the backer.

[0012] The present invention also concerns a method for making a blister pack and backer for packaging an article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a blister pack assembly according to the invention; and

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the blister pack assembly according to the present invention, showing each layer of printing.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a blister pack assembly 1 for packaging an article (not shown) according to the present invention. Although the following description will focus on such a blister pack assembly for packaging a toothbrush, it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable to any other type of article to be package in a blister pack assembly.

[0017] The blister pack assembly 1 includes a blister pack 3 having an edge 5 and a backer 7, the backer having an inside surface 9 and an outside surface 11. Once the toothbrush is inserted in the blister pack 3, the inside surface 9 of the backer 7 is joined to the edge 5 of the blister pack 3 and the resulting assembly is sealed, usually by way of an RF seal.

[0018] The invention lies in the construction of the backer 7, The backer is made of a sheet of transparent or translucent plastic. The outside surface 11 thereof is printed with a first layer of ink 13, representing the information destined to be visible through the transparent plastic. A second layer of ink 15 is applied to the first layer of ink 13, in order to visually insulate the first layer 13 from the second layer 15. The second layer 15 acts as an opaque base for a third layer of ink 17, which represents printed information destined to be viewed through the blister pack 3, in the direction of the top surface 9 of the backer 7.

[0019] It should be understood however that the second layer of ink 15 can be omitted. It should further be understood 61 at the first layer and the third layer are also meant to include a plurality of layers, and that the terms first layer and third layer represent the full image to be viewed.

[0020] Accordingly, when the backer 7 is sealed to the blister pack 3, the inside surface 9 of the backer 7 does not have any ink thereon which would, if the tolerances are off, interfere with the seal. Furthermore, since there is no ink present on the inside surface 9, the area available for painting is greater, permitting more information to be printed on the backer by being able to use the full area thereof.

[0021] Although expressions such as “inside” and “outside” have been used in the present description, it should be apparent that the present invention lies in inking the surface of the backer which is opposite to the surface receiving the seal.

[0022] Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to this preferred embodiment within the scope of the present description is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention. 

1. A backer for use with a blister pack assembly, said backer having an inside surface and an outside surface, said backer being made of a transparent material, said backer being provided with a first layer of ink on said outside surface representing indicia visible from said inside surface, and a third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.
 2. A backer according to claim 1 , wherein said backer further includes a second layer of ink, said second layer of ink being located between said first and third layers of ink, for visually insulating said first and third layers of ink.
 3. A backer according to claim 1 , wherein said first layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.
 4. A backer according to claim 1 , wherein said third layer of ink includes a plurality of layers ink of different colors.
 5. A packaging assembly for packaging an article comprising: a blister pack for receiving said article, said blister pack being made of a transparent material, said blister pack having an edge; a backer having an inside surface and an outside surface, said backer being adapted to be joined to said blister pack at said edge through a seal on said inside surface, said backer being provided with a first layer of ink on said outside surface representing indicia visible from said inside surface, and a third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.
 6. A packaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said backer further includes a second layer of ink, said second layer of ink being located between said first and third layers of ink, for visually insulating said first and third layers of ink.
 7. A packaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said first layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.
 8. A packaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said third layer of ink includes a plurality of layers of ink of different colors.
 9. A packaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said article is a toothbrush.
 10. A packaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said seal is an RF seal.
 11. A method for printing a backer for use with a blister pack, said method including the steps of: a) providing a transparent backer having an inside surface and an outside surface; b) applying a first layer of ink to said outside surface, said first layer of ink representing indicia visible from said inside surface; and c) applying a third layer of ink to said outside surface, said third layer of ink representing indicia visible from said outside surface.
 12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said method further comprises the step b1) applying a second layer of ink to said first layer of ink. 